Speculation that the Federal Reserve would end its aggressive bond-buying program in 2013 had driven stock markets lower both Wednesday and Thursday.

LONDON - European stock markets rebounded with the euro sliding against the US dollar and traders welcoming improving economic fortunes in Germany and looking ahead to weekend elections in indebted eurozone nation Italy.

London's FTSE 100 index of leading companies added 0.70 per cent to close at 6,335.7 points, while Frankfurt's DAX 30 rose 1.03 per cent to 7,661.91 points, and in Paris the CAC 40 jumped 2.25 per cent to 3,706.28 points.

Milan advanced 1.40 per cent to 16,233 points.

The euro drifted down to $US1.3165 from $US1.3188 late in New York on Thursday.

HONG KONG - Asian markets were mixed with bargain-hunting offset by a weak lead from Wall Street and gloomy data out of the eurozone.

The euro and US dollar rebounded slightly against the yen after suffering big losses in the past few days, while traders were casting an eye to a general election in Italy at the weekend.

Tokyo shed earlier losses to end up 0.68 per cent, or 76.81 points, at 11,385.94, Sydney jumped 0.76 per cent, or 38.0 points, to 5,018.1, and Seoul added 0.18 per cent, or 3.67 points, to 2,018.89.

Shanghai ended down 0.51 per cent, or 11.79 points, at 2,314.16 and Hong Kong lost 0.54 per cent, or 124.23 points, to end at 22,782.44.

While dealers picked up cheap shares after Thursday's losses, sentiment remained subdued after minutes from the US Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting stoked fears it could end its huge monetary easing sooner than expected.

WELLINGTON - The NZX50 index of leading stocks rose 44.175 points, or 1.1 per cent, to 4,214.603.